Spathiphyllum plant named ‘S40’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Spathiphyllum  cultivar named ‘S40’ is disclosed, characterized by dark green, glossy foliage, early foliage production and rapid, compact growth. The new variety maintains its dark green foliage color under higher than normal light conditions, or low nutrient levels. The new variety is commercially suitable for four and six inch pot production and responds to Gibberellic acid treatment by flowering in 9 weeks after treatment. The new variety is a  Spathiphyllum , typically produced as an indoor ornamental plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Spathiphyllum hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘S40’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The objective of the breeding program was to develop new Spathiphyllum varieties suitable for 4 inch or 6 inch commercial pot production, and with fast growth, and dark green foliage. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of a proprietary, unpatented seed parent referred to as ‘03-3-1’ and the pollen parent, ‘Power Petite’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,649. The crossing was made during April 2005.

The new variety was discovered by the inventor, Marian Osiecki, a citizen of the US, in September 2006 in a group of seedlings resulting from the crossing. The new cultivar was found in a commercial greenhouse in Altha, Fla.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘S40’ was first performed at a commercial laboratory in Altha, Fla. by tissue culture in April of 2007. Subsequent propagation by tissue culture has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘S40’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘S40’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘S40’ as a new and distinct Spathiphyllum cultivar:

-   -   1. Very dark green, broad foliage.     -   2. Early production of secondary foliage, resulting in a full         plant growth earlier.     -   3. Rapidly growing and compact growth habit.     -   4. Maintains very dark green color under higher than normal         light conditions, or low nutrient levels.     -   5. Spathe production in response to Gibberellic Acid treatment         after 9 weeks.     -   6. Plant habit suitable for 4 inch or 6 inch commercial pots.     -   7. High number of spathes produced on average.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘S40’ are similar to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics. The new variety, however, produces shorter, more compact plants. Additionally, ‘S40’ produces thicker, shorter, narrower leaf blades and shorter petioles than the seed parent. Spathes of ‘S40’ are smaller and closer to the foliage than the spathes of the seed parent. ‘S40’ has also shown better resistance to the diseases Myrothecium and leaf Phytophthora than the seed parent. ‘S40’ produces spathes earlier and more abundantly than ‘03-3-1’.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘S40’ are similar to the pollen parent ‘Power Petite’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 15,649 in most horticultural characteristics. Plants of the new variety however are more vigorous and faster growing than ‘Power Petite’. Additionally, ‘S40’ produces more leaves, and produces additional foliage earlier than ‘Power Petite’. Plants of ‘S40’ are taller than plants of ‘Power Petite’. Foliage of the two varieties differs; ‘S40’ produces darker, more upright foliage with less undulation on the leaf blade than ‘Power Petite’. Additionally, plants of ‘S40’ produce spathes earlier and more abundantly than ‘Power Petite’. Plants of ‘S40’ respond after 9 weeks to the normal GA treatment given to commercial Spathiphyllum plants, whereas ‘Power Petite’ responds after 14 weeks.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

‘S40’ can be compared to compared to the commercial variety Spathiphyllum ‘S9’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,901 Plants of ‘S9’ are similar to plants of ‘S40’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘S40’ are larger and faster growing than ‘S9’. ‘S40’ has much darker, glossier leaves than ‘S9’. Additionally ‘S40’ produces more shoots and has a less undulating leaf margin than ‘S9’. Spathes on plants of ‘S40’ are closer to the foliage than the spathes produced on plants of ‘S9’.

‘S40’ can be compared to compared to the commercial variety Spathiphyllum ‘54905’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 13,718. Plants of ‘54905’ are similar to plants of ‘S40’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of ‘S40’ are shorter than plants of ‘54905’. ‘S40’ has much darker, glossier leaves, that are shorter in length than foliage of ‘54905’. Additionally ‘S40’ produces foliage with an upright orientation, whereas foliage of ‘54905’ is outwardly arched, creating a more open plant form. Spathes on plants of ‘S40’ are closer to the foliage than the spathes produced on plants of ‘54905’ Spathes of ‘S40’ are more elongated compared to the rounder spathe shape of ‘54905’.

TABLE Serial Number Variety Co-pending Plant Height Spathe width ‘S39’ 13/200,513 30 cm to top of foliar plane. 6 cm 58 cm to top of spathe. ‘S40’ 13/200,514 35 cm to top of foliar plane. 4.5 to 5.0 cm 65 cm to top of spathe. ‘S41’ 13/200,515 55 cm to top of foliar plant. 6 to 8 cm 80 cm to top of spathe. ‘S42’ 13/200,509 45 cm to top of foliar plant. 4 to 6 cm 65 cm to top of spathe. ‘S43’ 13/200,510 60 cm to top of foliar plant. 5 to 7 cm 80 cm to top of spathe. Variety Spathe Length Mature Spathe Color Quantity of Leaves ‘S39’ 10-12 cm Front: White 155C 70 to 90 in an average Back: White 155C of 6 clumps ‘S40’ 9 to 12 cm Front: Green-White 50 to 60 in an average 157C of 4 to 5 clumps Back: Green-White 157C, veins and flush near veins Green 143C ‘S41’ 14 to 16 cm Front: White 155C 40 to 65 in an average Back: White 155C of 8 clumps. mid vein near Green 143A ‘S42’ 10 to 14 cm Front: White 155C, but 100 to 180 in an more clear white. average of 12 to 15 Back: White 155C, but clumps. more clear white mid vein near Green 143A ‘S43’ 12 to 14 cm Front: White 155C, but 60 to 100 in an more clear white. average of 8 to 10 Back: White 155C, but clumps. more clear white mid vein near Green 143A

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘S40’ grown in a greenhouse in Altha, Fla. This plant is approximately 9 months old, shown in a 6 inch pot. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘S40’ plants grown in a climate controlled greenhouse in Altha, Fla., USA. Temperatures ranged from 20° C. to 25° C. at night to 25° C. to 32° C. during the day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments were given to the plants. Plants were treated with Giberellic Acid at 200 ppm, to induce spathe production in approximately 9 weeks. Plants were grown in 80% shade, resulting in approximately 800 to 1200 foot candles of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Spathiphyllum hybrid ‘S40’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: Approximately 14 days at approximately     25° C. soil temperature. -   Time to produce a fully rooted plantlet: Approximately 12 weeks at     approximately 20 to 30° C. soil temperature. -   Root description: Thick, fleshy roots with fine, fibrous lateral     roots. Color near Orange-White 158D.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Leaves growing directly from base of plant, with no     stems. -   Plant shape: Upright, leaves arching out to nearly horizontal. -   Height: Approximately 35 cm to top of foliar plane. Approximately 65     cm to top of tallest spathe. -   Plant spread: Approximately 80 cm in a 6 inch pot. -   Pot size of plant described: 6 inch. -   Growth rate: Moderate. -   Branching characteristics: No branching. Leaves emerge direct from     base of plant. -   Number of clumps of leaves: 4 to 5. -   Number of leaves per clump: Average 10. -   Number of leaves per plant: Approximately 50 to 60. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Single leaves emerging basally.         -   Average length (excluding petiole of fully expanded             leaf).—Approximately 30 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 13 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Aspect.—Slightly undulating, mainly at margin, entire leaf             slightly recurved.         -   Apex.—Moderately cirrose.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth, glossy.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth, glossy.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Green139A, but             darker. Young foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A.             Mature foliage upper side: Near R.H.S. Green139A, but             darker. Mature foliage under side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Pinnate.         -   Venation coloration upper side.—Green 139A.         -   Venation coloration under side.—Yellow-Green 144C. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Approximate range between 12 and 22 cm.         -   Width.—At geniculum: Approximately 0.7 cm. Above clump:             Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A.         -   Strength.—Very strong.         -   Other.—Petiole wing present, on older foliage. -   Geniculum:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.5 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 137A. -   Petiole wing/petiole sheath:     -   -   Length.—Approximately same length as individual petiole.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.8 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139A.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Arrangement: Spathes with spadices held above the foliage on erect     peduncles arising from the petiole sheath. -   Flowering habit: Continuous. -   Quantity of spathes per plant: On average 6 fully open spathes in     good condition. -   Natural flowering season: Plants are normally treated with     Gibberellic Acid to induce flower year round. -   Time to flowering: 9 weeks after Gibberellic Acid treatment. -   Fragrance: None. -   Self-cleaning or persistent: Persistent. -   Flower longevity: Flowers stay in good condition approximately 5     weeks on the plant. -   Spathe:     -   -   Aspect.—Cupped.         -   Length.—Approximately 9 to 12 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 4.5 to 5.0 cm.         -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Cirrose.         -   Base.—Cuneate, non-symmetrical.         -   Color.—Front when opening: Near RHS White 155C. Back when             opening: Near RHS Green-white 157B. Front when mature: Near             RHS Green-White 157C. Back when mature: Near RHS Green-White             157C, veins and flush near veins Green 143C. Front Fading             to: Near RHS Green-White 157A, heavily flushed Green 143C.             Back Fading to: Near RHS Green-White 157A, heavily flushed             Green 143C. -   Spadix:     -   -   Shape.—Columnar, arising from the top of the peduncle.         -   Tip.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Obtuse.         -   Length.—Approximately 6.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Color.—When opening: Near RHS White 155C. Mature: Near RHS             Green-White 157A, heavily flushed Green 143C.         -   Quantity of flowers per spadix.—Approximately 137.         -   Spadix flower arrangement.—Bisexual, rounded.         -   Spadix flower description.—Flowers completely compressed,             minute to the point of not measurable. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 33 cm, measured from base, which             emerges from leaf axil.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.7 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 143C.         -   Strength.—Very strong.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   All flower parts and reproductive organs are highly reduced, to the     point of not measurable.     -   -   Quantity of pollen.—Abundant.         -   Pollen color.—Near RHS 155A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Greater resistance than typical of Spathiphyllum     to Myrothecium and leaf Phytophthora has been observed. -   Drought tolerance and cold tolerance: The new cultivar is a typical     Spathiphyllum, cold tolerant to approximately 5 to 7° C. and does     not tolerate drought. -   Fruit/seed production: Not observed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Spathiphyllum plant named ‘S40’ as herein illustrated and described. 